Besides, it is known to everybody that, before we came within sixteen miles of this, my Lord Livingstone went off to his brother, my Lord Strathmore’s, house; and most of the officers and several of the company went to their respective homes or relations.  And, if any of them did me the favour to come along with me, must that be called being in arms?  Sure, when your Grace represents this to the Meeting of the States, they will discharge such a groundless pursuit, and think my appearance before them unnecessary.  Besides, though it were necessary for me to go and attend the meeting, I cannot come with freedom and safety, because I am informed there are men-of-war and foreign troops in the passage; and till I know what they are and what are their orders, the Meeting cannot blame me for not coming.  Then, my Lord, seeing the summons has proceeded on a groundless story, I hope the Meeting of States will think it unreasonable I should leave my wife in the condition she is in.  If there be anybody that, notwithstanding of all that is said, thinks I ought to appear, I beg the favour of a delay till my wife is brought to bed; and in the meantime I will either give security or parole not to disturb the peace.  Seeing this pursuit is so groundless, and so reasonable things offered, and the Meeting composed of prudent men and men of honour, and your Grace presiding in it, I have no reason to fear further trouble.

     “I am, may it please your Grace, your most humble servant,

     “Dundee.

“I beg your Grace will cause this read to the Meeting, because it is all the defence I have made.  I sent another to your Grace from Dunblane with the reasons of my leaving Edinburgh.  I know not if it be come to your hands.”

The letter was read to the Convention on the following day, and on Saturday, March 30th, John Graham, Viscount of Dundee, was proclaimed traitor with all the usual ceremonies.  Thrice was his name called within the Parliament House, and thrice outside its doors, and thrice with sound of trumpet at the market-cross of the good town of Edinburgh.

About the same time happened a still more untoward thing.  James was now in Ireland.  He had learned how matters had gone in Scotland, and conceived that the moment for action had come.  A commission was accordingly despatched to Dundee, constituting him Lieutenant-General and Commander-in-Chief in Scotland, together with a letter in James’s own hand, informing him that five thousand foot and three hundred horse would presently be at his disposal.  There were letters also from Melfort both to Dundee and Balcarres.  Either by the folly or the knavery of the messenger the papers fell into the hands of Hamilton, who read them to the Convention.  As usual, Melfort’s letters were in the most foolish and violent language.  “You will ask no doubt,” he wrote to Dundee, “how we shall be able to pay our armies; but can you ask such a question